June 25: Dublin-Ferry-Llanfair-Chester-Liverpool

The ferry comes ashore on the isle of Anglesey, which geologists know from
the mineral "anglesite" (PbSO4), which is found in the lead mines
there.

My mental image of the place was a barren rockpile, which it
obviously isn't.

Approaching the mainland, we see the rugged mountains of north Wales

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrdrobwllllantysiliogogogoch give or take a few
syllables.

My spell-checker melted down after typing this in.

This sign was of interest because I grew up near
Bangor, Maine. The story goes that Bangor was originally going to be called
Sunbury, but when the official party filed for incorporation, a minister in
the group was humming a hymn called "Bangor." When the clerk asked for the
name, the minister absent-mindedly answered "Bangor." So the story goes.

There are 11 towns of this name in the U.S. Others are
in Alabama, California, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan ,New York ,Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Left and below: Views on the north coast of Wales

Chester

Chester is famous for its black and white half-timbered architecture.
Although it looks very old, most of it is Victorian.

Below: the arch and clock commemorate Queen Victoria's visit.

Left and below: the cathedral

Liverpool

A singing group from Liverpool achieved some fame a while back.

Liverpool
is a rather American-looking city, and we only had an overnight stop here so
we actually didn't see a great deal.